Sustainable Veterinary Medicine (Not the Green Kind)

Discussions of mental health and burnout within the field of veterinary medicine have become more prevalent in the last decade. Groups like NOMV (Not One More Vet) have spread awareness of the mental health challenges veterinary personnel face and seek to promote a more sustainable profession. One of the key components of improving sustainability within the field of veterinary medicine is addressing and mitigating burnout. Approximately half of the full-time veterinarians surveyed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from 2016 through 2018 reportedly experiencing burnout. This was before a global pandemic that put even greater demands on veterinary professionals. Burnout can be challenging to identify and even harder to combat but continuing the conversation around these issues is important for promoting a healthier veterinary community.

How to Identify Burnout
Recognizing the signs of burnout early is essential for addressing it effectively and maintaining both professional and personal well-being. Burnout can be mild to severe, resulting in exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of accomplishment. If you are unsure if you are experiencing burnout or want to see how your clinic is managing it, AVMA has a free assessment tool (ProQOL self-assessment).

Preventing Burnout
Once you identify burnout, how do you combat it? Here are seven ways to decrease symptoms:

1. Prioritize Yourself: One of the most effective ways to combat burnout is by prioritizing self-care. Veterinarians often face long hours and emotional strain, making it essential to focus on personal well-being. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are crucial for maintaining physical health. Schedule time for activities that help you relax and recharge. Practice mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation techniques to manage stress. Set boundaries between work and personal life. Take that PTO to travel, explore a hobby, or hang out with family.
2. Develop Healthy Work Habits: Establishing healthy work habits can greatly reduce the risk of burnout. Effective time management is key. Veterinarians need to prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and delegate responsibilities when possible. Incorporating regular breaks and downtime into the work schedule allows for moments of rest and recovery. Set regular breaks to take an ACTUAL break during working hours. This does not mean you take a lunch break as you work on charts or make phone calls. Take a brief walk or eat your lunch outside. Sit in your car and listen to music.
3. Build a Support Network: A robust support network is invaluable in combating burnout. Connecting with colleagues, mentors, and professional organizations can provide emotional support and practical advice. Sharing experiences with peers who understand the unique challenges of veterinary medicine can be comforting and insightful. Foster open communication with your team and supervisors to be able to discuss workloads, share concerns, and seek collaborative solutions.
4. Set Realistic Expectations: Setting realistic expectations is crucial for managing stress and preventing burnout. It’s important for veterinarians to acknowledge their limits and understand that perfection is not always attainable. Establishing achievable goals and celebrating small successes can boost morale and provide a sense of accomplishment. Communicating openly with clients about the limitations and possibilities of veterinary care helps manage their expectations and reduces the pressure on veterinary professionals. Recognizing that it’s okay to say no when the day starts to feel overwhelming is important for your mental health and for the patients too.
5. Develop Professional Skills: Ongoing professional development can enhance job satisfaction and reduce burnout. Staying updated with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine and improving skills can increase confidence and efficiency in handling cases. Engaging in continuing education and training opportunities not only keeps knowledge current but also contributes to personal and professional growth. Developing skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and stress management can also help veterinary professionals cope with demands and improve their overall job satisfaction.
6. Advocate for a Positive Work Environment: Create and advocate for a positive work environment to significantly reduce burnout. A supportive and respectful workplace culture fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork. Advocating for adequate resources such as staff and equipment ensures that the demands of the job are manageable, and that the quality of care remains high. By promoting a culture of support and respect, veterinary professionals can work in an environment that reduces stress and enhances job satisfaction. This can be a simple emotional check-in with everyone before the day starts.
7. Seek Professional Help: Mental health professionals, such as therapists or counselors, can provide valuable support and coping strategies. Workshops, seminars, and training sessions focused on stress management and burnout prevention can help. Addressing mental health proactively helps maintain emotional well-being and prevents burnout from escalating. Seeking help is a sign of strength NOT WEAKNESS and a proactive step towards managing stress and improving overall quality of life.

Burnout in veterinary medicine is a serious concern. With proactive strategies in prioritizing personal well-being, building supportive relationships, setting realistic goals, and advocating for a positive work environment, veterinarians can not only sustain their passion for animal care but enhance their overall quality of life. Recognizing the signs of burnout early and taking steps to address them can lead to a more fulfilling and resilient career in veterinary medicine. For anyone experiencing burnout, DO NOT FEEL BAD ASKING FOR HELP OR SUPPORT! Remember your why and know that you are not alone!

Resources

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/)
• Not One More Vet (https://www.nomv.org/)
• WSVMA Wellbeing CE (https://wsvma.org/on-demand-library/wellbeing/)
• AVMA Wellbeing Tools (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing )

Citations

• Kogan LR, Wallace JE, Schoenfeld-Tacher R, Hellyer PW, Richards M. Veterinary Technicians and Occupational Burnout. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Jun 12;7:328. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00328. PMID: 32596271; PMCID: PMC7303959.
• Maslach C, Leiter MP. Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry. 2016 Jun;15(2):103-11. doi: 10.1002/wps.20311. PMID: 27265691; PMCID: PMC4911781.
• Ouedraogo, F. B., Lefebvre, S. L., Hansen, C. R., & Brorsen, B. W. (2021). Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among full-time veterinarians in the United States (2016-2018). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 258(11), 1259-1270. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.258.11.1259
• Pizzolon CN, Coe JB, Shaw JR. Evaluation of team effectiveness and personal empathy for associations with professional quality of life and job satisfaction in companion animal practice personnel. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2019 May 15;254(10):1204-1217. doi: 10.2460/javma.254.10.1204. PMID: 31039097.